Lost in Translation
Joe Nguyen, staff writer
Jan. 14, 2004

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an actor. Bob is paid two million dollars to go to Tokyo to do a commercial shoot for Suntory scotch. The stay in Japan will help Bob’s bank account, but leaves Bob lost and feeling out of place in the culture.

Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is the wife of a photographer (Giovanni Ribisi) who’s in Japan on assignment. She’s a recent graduate with no idea what to do with her future. She often alone as her husband’s constantly running off to do a photo shoot.

The two end up running into each other in the middle of the night as neither can sleep and a friendship is forged.

Coming into this movie, I had little clue what it was about. I saw an interview on TV where Bill Murray said that his character was partly based on ads that were seen in Japan. Big name American actors, like Harrison Ford, were show on giant billboards advertising liquor. Every critic I read just gave this movie rave reviews. Various AAPI sites were proclaiming that this movie was racist toward the Japanese. Whatever. I’m the judge of what I think.

Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation"

Watching the first ten minutes or so, I thought I made a big mistake going to see this movie. The pace was painfully slow and it had an ultra ‘artsy’ feel to it. Boy, was I wrong. It helped set up Bob’s uncomfortable feeling when he first arrives in Japan. During the commercial shoot, the director is barking instructions in Japanese at him. The translator sums up what seems like 100 words in a handful. Confused, Bob accepts it.

The relationship between Bob and Charlotte was really strong. Both characters seemed lost and lonely in their environments. Their connection was a necessity and that’s why it worked so well. Both characters are married and even though their relationship had a slight romantic undertone to it, it was their friendship that made it succeed.

Bill Murray is often times underestimated about his acting skills. He was simply brilliant in his portrayal of Bob Harris, a world-renowned actor who is in the reclining years of his career. Murray was more serious in this role than what is usually expected of him, but he does show his lighter side during the movie. He should be a certainty for an Oscar nomination and should be one of the favorites to win.

Scarlett Johansson holds her own with the veteran actor. Her portrayal as the lonely, soul-searching Charlotte should garner her consideration for an Oscar nomination. Anna Faris does a good job in her small role as the slightly ditzy actress promoting her film in Japan. Her performance brings a bit of levity to the movie.

"Lost in Translation" is a very good movie. It’s a comedy, a drama, a romantic story all rolled up into one. This movie brings to light how difficult it is to blend into a culture that’s foreign to you. Taking a quote from the movie, “It’s just very, very different.”

Joe gives "Lost in Translation":

Joe Nguyen is a staff writer for asiaXpress.com. You can reach Joe at joe@asiaxpress.com.

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